Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of heart surgery: A surgical procedure performed on the heart or major heart vessels where the chest cavity is not fully opened. Instead, the surgeon typically makes a small incision and may use specialized instruments and techniques, such as catheters or endoscopes, to access the heart.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The patient underwent closed-heart surgery to repair a defective valve.
  • Advances in technology have made many closed-heart surgery procedures minimally invasive.

Advanced Usage

• "to perform closed-heart surgery": to carry out this specific surgical procedure.
  • The medical team is prepared to perform closed-heart surgery tomorrow.

Variants and Related Words

• Open-heart surgery (n): A contrasting surgical procedure where the chest cavity is widely opened, and the heart may be stopped temporarily, often using a heart-lung machine.
  • While open-heart surgery is more invasive, closed-heart surgery often allows for a quicker recovery.

Synonyms

• Minimally invasive heart surgery: A broader term often used synonymously, emphasizing the reduced surgical access.
• Endoscopic cardiac surgery: A specific type of closed-heart surgery using an endoscope.

Related Phrases

• Catheter-based procedure: A common technique within closed-heart surgery where a catheter is threaded through blood vessels to the heart.
  • Many valve repairs are now done as catheter-based procedures, a form of closed-heart surgery.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. heart surgery in which a small incision is made (the chest cavity is not opened)